Door handle construction



C. A. REES ETAL DOOR HANDLE CONSTRUCTION Nov. 3o, 1954 2,695,690

Filed Feb. 3, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS 'A jog@ (hul/2f' I NOV.30, 1954 c, A R555 ETAL 2,695,690

4 DooR HANDLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 3, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VENTORS United States Patent@ 2,695,690 Doon HANDLE oNsrRUcrioN Clarence A.Rees and-Douglas Cloutier, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Illinois ToolWorks, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application February 3,19,49, Serial No. 74,338 12 Claims. (Cl. 189-46) The present inventionrelates in general to improvements in detachable handle constructionsfor panels and the like.

More particularly the invention relates to improved fasteners andfastener arrangements for detachably securing a handle to a panel inwhich a fastening stud must pass through an aperture in the handle andextend into interlocking association with the wall of a panel.

One of the objects of the present invent-ion is to provide a handlefastener arrangement of the above mentioned type in which the fastenerstud when used with a panels comprising spaced `sections or` walls neednot cornpletely penetrate both panel sections.

Another objectof the present invention` is to provide a fastener` of thetype described for panels composed of two spaced panel or Wall sectionsin which a resilient locking dev1ce cooperates with a stud member tohold the panel sections together.

Heretofore it has not ybeen uncommon to thicken the area of a -sheetmetal panel section in the vicinity where a handle is to be applied inorder to lend suflicient strength, and it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a h andle fastener arrangement which eliminates thenecessity of providing a `thickened panel section and hence materiallyreduces constructional costs.

ln securing `handles to enameled surfaces, such as oven doors and thelike by conventional fasteners enamel cracks frequently result and it isan object of the present inven` tion to provide a handle fasteneryarrangement which will reduce to a minimum -any tendency to crack enamelon the panel to which the handle is secured.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a handle fastenerarrangement which will resiliently secure or clamp the panel sectionstogether and fasten the handle on the panel in such a manner assubstantially to eliminate rattle and vibration noises `in the panel.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a clip which isadapted to :be snappedinto positionto hold together the panel sectionsof a panel and which is adapted to receive and interlock with a fastenershank for `securing a handle to the panel.

These and other obiects of the invention will best be understood uponconsideration of the following specificatio'n and the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a panel or oven door and a handlesecured to this panel in'accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the panel, the handleand the fastening means .as seen in the direction of the arrows alongthe line's 2--2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the side of the handle shown inFigure 2 which abutsthe panel in the assembled position;

Figure 4 is a plan View of the underside of the handle structure shownin Figures l and 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective View of the resilient locking memberor clip shown in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a cross` sectional view of the handle structure shown inFigure 3 as seenin`the`direction of the arrows along the line 6 6;

Figure 7 is across sectional View of the handle struc ture'sh'own inFigure 3 as seen inthe direction of the arrows ofthe line`7-7 of Figure`3;

Figure 8 is a figure` similar 4to Figure 2 showing a modified embodimentof the fastener means in operative association with the handle;

Figure` 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the fastener stud'ishownir`1` the assembly of Figure' 8;

Figure 1,0' is an enlarged lan view of the retaining Washer shawniaFigufs'SS CII rice

Figure l1 is a View similar` to Figure 2 showing a third embodiment ofthe fastener means inoperative association with the handle;

Figure 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the resilient locklirgmember or clip shown inthe assembly .of Figure Figure 13 is an enlargedplan View before bending, of the blank from which the resilient lockingVmember shown in Figure 12 isforrned;

Figure 14 is a View similar to Figure Zshowing a fourth embodiment ofthe invention;

Figure 15 is` an enlarged perspective View of the ref silient lockingmember or clip -shown in the assembly of Figure 14, and

Figure 16 is an enlarged plan View, before` bending, of` the blank fromwhich is formed the resilient locking member shown in Figure 15,.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail wherein like numerals havebeen employed to designate similar parts throughout the various views itwill be seen that Fig'- ure 1 shows a handle 20 fastened to a panel 22in the manner contemplated by the present invention. As best seen inFigure 2 the panel 22 consists of a front panel section 24 and a backpanel section 26 which have laterally extending ange portions 28 and 30respectively. Between these panel sections 24 and 26 and substantiallylling the space therebetween is a body of insulation mat,- ting 32.

The handle 20 is composed of two sections, an upper section 3,4 `and alower section 36. Upper section 34 has a flange portion 38which is bent`at a relatively acute angle with respect to the main body of the`handle section 34 and which is normally positioned adjacent the frontpanel section 24. There is positioned on this ilange portion 3.8 are-entrantly bent section 40 (see Figure 4.) which is positioned at thecenter thereof and which is adapted to engage an edge of the lowerhandle section 3 6. The edge of the upper handle section 34 on which isformed the flange portion 38 is recessed at points 42 and 44 to form aventilating space between the center of the handle 20 and the panel 22.On `the `other edge of the upper handle section 34 is formed a secondflange portion 46 which receives .one edge of the lower handle portion36.

The lower handle portion 36 has a laterally extending portion 48 whichengages the flange 46 on the lower edge of upper` portion 34. The center`of the lower handle por-` tion 36 is curved smoothly upwardly to form ahandle grip portion 50 and the` upper edge of this handle `grip portion50 engages the re-.entrantly bent flange 4,0 of the upper handle section34. On either side of this handle grip portion 50 are two fastenerreceiving portions 52 and 54 in which are positioned apertures 56 and 58respectively. The general ,shape and arrangement of the handle is bestunderstood by referring to drawings 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7.

The front and back panel sections 24 and 26 `are held together at theirupper end by a resilient locking member or clip 6i). This clip 60 passesthrough openings in the flange members 28 land 3 0 of the front and backpanel sections 24 and 26 and is held in position in a manner which willbe described later. A stud 62 passes through .each of the openings 56and 58 in the lower handle member 36 through an opening 64 in `the frontpanel section 24 and engages the clip 60. The clip 60 (see Figure` 5) ismade of any suitable material such as sheet metal and is formed by firstcutting or stamping the clip in the proper shape and then bending to theform shown in Figure 5,

The clip 6i) consists `of a head portion 66 on which 4are formedshoulders 68. From one `side of' head 66 is a depending strip 70 uponwhich is struck or formed a tongue '72. Opposite the depending strip 70is a shank portion 74 which has formed thereon an extruded thread orhelix 76. On the lower edge of shank portion 74 is a laterally bentbrace 78 which is substantially parallel .to the head 66.

As shown in Figure 2, the clip is positioned through openings in theflanges 20 and 30 and after insertion therein the tongue 72 engages theflange 30 and the brace '78 bears against the inner side of the frontpanel section 24. The shoulder 68 on head 66 prevents the clip 60 fromdropping through the openings in the flanges 28 and 30. The portion ofthe shank 74 in which is p0- sitioned the extruded thread 76 is bentslightly so that this portion of shank 74 is substantially parallel tothe plane of the fastener receiving portions 52 and 54. Upon insertionof stud 62, which in this embodiment of the invention is a screw,through apertures 56 and 64, the threaded portion of stud 62 engages theextruded thread 76 on the clip 60. When the stud 62 is screwed tightlyinto place, the clip 60 will resiliently hold the handle 20 against thefront panel section 24 and will also resiliently hold the front and backpanel sections 24 and 26 together. This particular construction andmethod of securing the handle 20 to the panel 22 minimizes the vibrationnoises and rattling, and also securely holds together the free margin ofthe front and back panel sections 24 and 26.

Figures 8-10 show another embodiment of the invention in which a quickoperating fastener 82 is substituted for the screw 62. The quickoperating fastener 82 has a shank portion 84 on which are formed twolugs 86 at one end thereof; the other end of shank portion 84 .hasformed thereon a head 88. The shank portion 90 of the clip 92, whichcorresponds to clip 60 described above, has formed therein an embossedcam portion 94 instead of an extruded thread as is shown in theembodiment of Figure 5. The remainder of the construction of the clip 92is identical with that of clip 60. The retaining washer 96 is anadditional feature of this embodiment of the invention. This retainingwasher 96 has a Hat washerlike portion 98 from which extend resilientfingers 100. In the center is an aperture 102 which is large enough toreceive the shank 84 of the quick fastener 82.

The purpose of the retainer washer 96 is to keep the quick fastener 82attached to the handle 20 during the period immediately precedingassembly and whenever the handle is removed from the panel. This isaccomplished by inserting the quick fastener 82 through the aperture 58in the handle 20 and slipping the retaining Washer 96 over the lugs 86on the quick fastener 82 and positioning it upon the shank 84 until itengages the handle 20. The tension in resilient fingers 100 will keepthe washer in place.

Figures 1l-13 show another type of clip which is adapted tobe insertedthrough the front of the front panel section 24 instead of through theange on the front panel section 24. The use of this clip 110necessitates a slight modification in the back panel section 112. Theflange 114 at the top of this back panel section 112 is extended untilit reaches the rear side of the front panel section 24 and is then bentdownwardly to form a clip engaging portion 116. This clip engagingportion 116 may be a flange formed on the end of flange 114 or might bea lug sheared down from the top edge of back panel 112.

Clip 110 is made of any suitable material such as sheet metal. It isformed by stamping a blank 118 such as the one shown in Figure 13 from astrip of sheet metal and then bending this blank 118 into the shapeshown in Figure l2. The finished clip has a head portion 120 from whichis struck or formed a tongue 122. Depending from two edge's of the head120 are two flanges 124 which extend beyond the edge of the head 120 andterminate there in ears 126. On the edge opposite that on which isformed the ears is the shank portion 128. In the particular embodimentshown, a thread or helix 130 is extruded from the shank portion and atthe lower end of the shank portion is formed a laterally extending brace132.

This clip is inserted through an aperture in the front panel section 24,and when in position, the tongue 122 engages in clip engaging portion116 of back panel section 112, and the brace 132 presses against therear side of front panel section 24. The ears 126 prevent the clip frompassing completely through the aperture in front panel section 24. Ascrew 62 passes through the aperture in the handle and the front panelsection 24 and engages the extruded thread 130 of clip 110 in the samemanner as the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

Figures 14-16 show another embodiment of the invention in which the clipis adapted to be inserted through the front panel section 24. With thisform of the invention it is also necessary to form a clip engagingportion 116 on the back panel member 112. The manner of forming the clip140 is the same as that described above, and Figure 16 shows the blank142 for the clip 140 before bending.

The clip has a head section 144 on which is formed Y the tongue 146. Onthe edge of the head 144 opposite the base of tongue 146 is a verticallyextending ange 148. The shank 150 is connected to the head 144 on theside opposite that on which is formed ange 148. The shank 150 has formedthereon an extruded thread or helix 152 and at the lower edge of theshank 150 is a laterally extending flange 154. When the clip 140 isinserted through the hole in the front panel section 24, tongue 146engages the depending flange 116 of the rear panel section 112 while thelaterally extending flange 154 engages the inner side of front panelsection 24. When the handle 20 is snapped into position, the verticallyextending flange 148 of the clip 140 engages the flange portion 38 ofhandle 20. A screw 62 passes through the aperture in the handle and thefront panel 24 and engages the extruded thread 152 of clip 140. Upontightening screw 62 the handle 20, front panel section 24 and the rearpanel section 112 will be resiliently held together by the action ofclip 140.

The clip in all of the embodiments shown resiliently holds the upper endof the panel sections together before the fastening stud is engagedthereby. This feature is particularly important during the sub-assemblyperiod before the handle is attached to the door panel.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed anddescribed by way of illustration, it should be apparent that variousmodications may be made in the invention without departing from thespirit of the invention in its broader aspects and the scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. A clip comprising a head portion, retaining means formed on said headportion, resilient tongue means formed on said head portion and adaptedto engage a Work piece to hold the work piece between said retainingmeans and said tongue means, a shank portion depending from said headportion, said shank portion having means formed thereon to receive andgrasp a rotary fastening member, and an abutment means formed on the endof said shank portion opposite said head portion to hold the adjacentend of said shank portion spaced away from an adjacent surface.

2. A clip comprising a head portion, shoulder means formed on andextending laterally from said head portion, resilient tongue meansformed on said head portion and adapted to engage a work piece lto holdthe work piece between said shoulder means and said tongue means, ashank portion depending from said head portion, said shank portionhaving a rotary fastener receiving means formed thereon, an an abutmentmember formed on the end of said shank portion opposite said headportion, said abutment member serving to hold the adjacent end of saidshank portion in spaced relationship with an adjacent surface.

' 3. A clip comprising a head, an attachment member formed on said headand extending substantially perpendicularly thereto, a resilient tongueformed on said` attachment member adapted to engage a work piece to holdthe work piece between said tongue and said head,

a shank formed on said head and extending therefrom` in the samedirection as said attachment member, rotary fastener receiving meansformed on said shank, and an abutment member formed on said shank andextending at a substantial angle therefrom to space the portion of saidshank carrying said rotary fastener receiving means from an adjacentsurface.

4. A clip comprising a head, an attachment member formed on said headand extending substantially perpendicularly thereto, a resilient tongueformed on said attachment member and adapted to engage a Work piece tohold the work piece between said head and said tongue, a shank formed onsaid head on the side thereof opposite said attachment member andextending in the same direction as said attachment member, said shankhaving an extruded thread receiving impression formed hereon, and anabutment member formed on the end of said shank opposite said head andextending at a substantial angle from said shank in a direction oppositeto said head.

5. A door structure comprising spaced apart front and back panelsproviding a hollow door, overlapping and overlying anges formed adjacentthe upper end of said door, clip means, a head portion on said clipmeans engaging said overlying anges and holding said overlying flangesand panels in assembled relationship, a shank on said head portionextending into the space between said front and back panels, said shankhaving a rotary fastener receiving means formed thereon, and an abutmentmember formed on said shank adjacent the end thereof opposite said headportion, said abutment member abutting against said front panel to holdthe rotary fastener receiving means on said shank in spaced relationshipwith respect to said front panel.

6. A door structure comprising spaced apart front and back panels,overlying and juxtaposed llanges formed on said panels adjacent theupper end of said panels, a clip for holding said panels in assembledrelationship including a head portion, attachment means formed on saidhead portion and grasping said overlying flanges between said attachmentmeans and said head portion to hold said panels inassembledrelationship, a shank formed on said head portion and extending into thespace formed between said front and back panels, said shank having arotary fastener receiving means formed thereon, said front panel havingan aperture therein in substantial alignment with said rotary fastenerreceiving means for receiving a rotary fastener, and an abutment memberformed on said shank at the end thereof opposite said head portion, saidabutment member being positioned to abut said front panel whereby tohold said rotary fastener receiving means on said shank in spacedrelationship with respect to said front panel.

7. A door structure comprising front and back panels, overlying andjuxtaposed flanges formed on the upper ends of said door panels, a clipincluding a head disposed on the outer side of the outermost of saidflanges, an attachment member formed on said head and extending throughsaid ilanges to grasp the flanges between said head and said attachmentmember to hold said panels in assembled relationship, a shank formed onsaid head and extending into the space between said front and backpanels, said front panel having an aperture formed therein adjacent theupper edge thereof for receiving a rotary fastener, said shank having arotary fastener receiving means formed thereon in substantial alignmentwith the aperture in said front panel, and an abutment member formed onsaid shank at the end thereof opposite said head, said abutment memberabutting against said front panel to hold said rotary fastener receivingmeans in fixed spaced relationship with respect to said front panel.

8. A door structure comprising spaced apart front and back panels,flanges formed on the upper edges of said panels, said flanges extendingtoward the opposite panel in overlying and contacting relationship toform a hollow door structure, a clip-including a head, an attachment.member formed on said head and extending substantially perpendicularlythereto through aligned apertures in said overlying flanges, a resilienttongue formed on said attachment member and adapted to engage saidflanges to hold said flanges between said head and said tongue, a shankformed on said head and extending through aligned apertures in saidilanges into the space formed between said panels, said shank having athread receiving impression formed thereon, said front panel having anaperture therein in substantial alignment with said thread receivingimpression for receiving a rotary fastener, and an abutment memberformed on the end of said shank opposite said head, said abutment memberabutting against said front panel to hold the portion of the shankcontaining said thread receiving impression at a fixed and spaceddistance from said front panel.

9. A door structure comprising spaced apart front and back panelsproviding a hollow door, overlapping and overlying flanges formedadjacent the upper end of said door, clip means, a head portion formedon said clip means and engaging said overlying flanges to hold saidoverlying llanges and panels in assembled relationship, a shank on saidhead portion extending into the space between said front and backpanels, said shank having a rotary fastener receiving means formedthereon, an abutment member formed on said shank adjacent the endthereof opposite said head portion, said abutment member abuttingagainst said front panel to hold the rotary fastener receiving means onsaid shank in spaced relationship with respect to said front panel, ahandle positioned adjacent the upper end of said door, said handle andsaid front panel having aligned apertures therein which are in turnaligned with said rotary fastener receiving means, and a rotary fastenerpassing through said aligned apertures and engaging said rotary fastenerreceiving means to hold said handle and said panels in tight assembledrelationship.

10. A door structure comprising spaced apart front and back panelsproviding a hollow door, overlying and juxtaposed llanges formed on saidpanels adjacent the upper end of said panels, a clip including a headportion, attachment means formed on said head portion and grasping saidoverlying ilanges between said attachment means and said head portion tohold said panels in assembled relationship, a shank formed on said headportion and extending into the space between said front and back panels,said shank having a rotary fastener receiving means formed thereon, anabutment member formed on said shank at the end thereof opposite saidhead portion, said abutment member being positioned to abut said frontpanel to hold said rotary fastener receiving means in spacedrelationship with respect to said front panel, and a handle mounted onsaid front panel with the upper edge of said handle being in substantialalignment with the upper edge of said door, said front panel and saidhandle having aligned apertures therein which are in turn aligned withsaid rotary fastener receiving means, and a rotary fastener passingthrough said apertures and engaging said rotary fastener receiving meansto hold said handle and panels in tight assembled relationship.

l1. A door structure comprising front and back panels, overlying andjuxtaposed flanges formed on the upper ends of said door panels, a clipincluding a head disposed on the outer side of the outermost of saidflanges, an attachment member formed on said head and extending throughsaid flanges to grasp the ilanges between said head and said attachmentmember, a shank formed on said head and extending into the space betweensaid front and back panels, an abutment member formed on said shank atthe end thereof opposite said head, said abutment member abuttingagainst said front panel to hold said rotary fastener receiving means inxed spaced relationship with respect to said front panel, a handlemounted on said front panel with the upper edge of said handle inalignment with the upper edge of said door, said front panel and saidhandle having :aligned apertures formed therein which are in turnaligned with said rotary fastener receiving means, and a rotary fastenerpassing through said apertures and engaging said rotary fastenerreceiving means to hold saidhandle and said front and back panels inassembled relationship.

l2. A door structure comprising spaced apart front and back panelsproviding a hollow door, overlapping and overlying flanges formedadjacent the upper end of the door, clip means, a head portion formed onsaid clip means and engaging said overlying llanges to hold saidoverlying flanges and panels in assembled relationship, a shank on saidhead portion extending into the space between said front and backpanels, said shank having a rotary fastener receiving means formedthereon, a handle positioned adjacent the upper end of said door, saidhandle and said front panel having aligned apertures therein which arein turn aligned with said rotary fastener receiving means, and a rotaryfastener passing through said aligned apertures and engaging said rotaryfastener receiving means to hold said handle and said panels in tightassembled relationship.

References Cited in the ille of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,496,046 Wilkinson et. a1. May 13, 1924 1,584,121 Moecker,Ir., et al May 11, 1926 1,699,403 Moecker, Jr Jan. 15, 1929 1,726,794Anetsberger et al Sept. 3, 1929 2,155,810 Tinnerman Apr. 25, 19392,159,221 Mills May 23, 1939 2,239,798 Tinnerman Apr. 29, 1941 2,317,015Allen Apr. 20, 1943 2,328,757 Tinnerman Sept. 7, 1943 2,390,750Tinnerman Dec. 11, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 213,717Switzerland Mar. 15, 1941 596,951 Great Britain Aug. 7, 1945

